Washington State Grain Facility Sued Over Stormwater Pollution

A Washington state-based environmental nonprofit sued Temco LLC for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act when discharging pollutants including grain and grain dust into the state’s Puget Sound and Commencement Bay.

Communities for a Healthy Bay said the grain exporter’s failure to effectively monitor and develop a plan to aid in improving the stormwater quality in the two bodies of water violates the company’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which in turn violates the federal CWA.

The lawsuit filed Monday in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington seeks declaratory relief as well as an injunction to block the violations the nonprofit says are ongoing as a result of the company’s failure to implement corrective measures at Temco’s Tacoma, Wash., plant.

“Discharges from Defendant’s Facility contribute to the ecological impacts that result from the polluted condition of these waters and to Communities’ and its members’ injuries resulting therefrom,” the complaint said.

Communities for a Healthy Bay also alleged that the defendant—a joint venture between Cargill Inc. and CHS Inc.—reported pollutant values greater than the benchmark value to the Washington State Department of Ecology and failed to implement the necessary corrective action.

The suit also cites the defendant’s failure to collect and analyze stormwater samples on multiple occasions throughout 2023, and accused the company of failing to remove solids from storm drain lines.

Temco LLC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kampmeier Knutsen LLP represents the nonprofit.

The case is Cmtys. for a Healthy Bay v. Temco LLC, W.D. Wash., No. 3:25-cv-05535, complaint filed 6/16/25.